On Tuesday, June 16, a North Carolina House committee will consider a bill regarding tethering and shelters for dogs. Some provisions in these bills are reasonable and do protect dogs from being harmed while tethered or kept outside. However, other provisions fail to take into account responsible practices that meet the needs of various dog breeds, or the functions for which they are trained/acclimated.
North Carolina dog owners: Please call or email members of the House Judiciary Committee TODAY (prior to the committee hearing at 1pm on Tuesday, June 16) and ask them to oppose House Bill 657 as currently written. Scroll down to “What You Can Do” for contact information.
Summary:
House Bill 657 seeks to protect dogs by providing tethering and outdoor shelter requirements. While AKC supports certain provisions (such requiring appropriate exercise, food and water appropriate for a dog’s age, condition and breed), there are numerous concerns, including:
- Shelter requirements – The bill provides an extensive definition of “adequate shelter” and “adequate space”, including requiring that the dog be able to easily stand up, lie down, turn around, etc. It also requires a windbreak, proper flooring, and specific bedding material. While this is appropriate for a dog’s primary enclosure, this does not consider safe and temporary crating and transportation for dogs.
- Specific temperature requirements – Additional shelter and tethering requirements are required when the temperature is above 85 degrees or lower than 32 degrees. This arbitrary mandate does not consider that dogs are not “one size fits all”. Some dogs can safely tolerate temperatures outside these ranges. Others may not be able to handle the extreme ends of these temperatures. Under this arbitrary proposal, owners would not be required to provide appropriate bedding until the temperature is under 32 degrees, or ensure the shelter does not readily conduct heat until the temperature reaches 85 degrees. More flexible requirements that require ensuring the health and safety of the dog can better protect all dogs.
- Tethering – Except when walking your dog, anytime a dog is tethered to any stationary object, the tether must be 15 feet long or 4 times the length of the dog, whichever is greater. AKC appreciates that it states that a dog should not be tethered in a way that could cause harm. However, it is unclear what this means if a dog could get tangled in a tether this long, or it allows the dog to access an area that could be dangerous (such as a road), or go into a neighboring property. It also fails to consider health and safety when grooming, veterinary examinations or other humane reasons to humanely tether a dog on a shorter lead.
- Limited exemptions – There are limited exemptions for dogs actively engaging in a lawful hunt, herding livestock, or farming agricultural products, or for owners walking a dog on a leash or complying with tethering requirements at a camping or recreational area. However, there are no exemptions for temporary tethering or crating when a dog is with the owner or handler – including training, outdoor dog shows and competitions besides hunting, etc.
Talking Points:
AKC strongly agrees that dogs should not be tethered or kept outside in any condition where health and safety are at risk. In addition, there are many provisions in these bills that are reasonable (for example, ensuring dogs have appropriate food and water, and that the tether is not so tight as to injure the dog). However, the current proposal establishes arbitrary mandates that are not in the best interests of all dogs, particularly when partaking of outside activities.
Consider the following resources for talking points when contacting the committee:
- Dogs Outdoors/Tethering Key Issue Page in the AKC Legislative Action Center
- AKC Responsible Policy Video – Arbitrary Temperature Requirements Can Harm Dogs
- AKC Handout: Keeping Dogs Safe in Inclement Weather
What You Can Do:
The House Judiciary I Committee will consider the bill on Tuesday, June 16 at 1:00pm. Contact the committee today to express your concerns with the “one size fits all” provisions in House Bill 657. Let them know you agree that all dogs should be treated in a safe and humane manner, but this bill does not consider all dogs or humane circumstances. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting the members:
Rep. Ted Davis, Jr. (New Hanover County), Committee Chair
(919) 733-5786
Ted.Davis@ncleg.gov
Rep. Hugh Blackwell (Burke County), Committee Vice Chair
(919) 733-5805
Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.gov
Rep. Vernetta Alston (Durham County)
(919) 733-5872
Vernetta.Alston@ncleg.gov
Rep. Dean Arp (Union County)
(919) 715-3007
Dean.Arp@ncleg.gov
Rep. Pricey Harrison (Guilford County)
(919) 733-5771
Pricey.Harrison@ncleg.gov
Rep. Abe Jones (Wake County)
(919) 733-5758
Abe.Jones@ncleg.gov
Rep. Brandon Lofton (Mecklenburg County)
(919) 715-3009
Brandon.Lofton@ncleg.gov
Rep. Larry Potts (Davidson County)
(919) 715-0873
Larry.Potts@ncleg.gov
Rep. Mike Schietzelt (Wake County)
(919) 715-3010
Mike.Schietzelt@ncleg.gov
Rep. Matthew Winslow (Franklin, Vance Counties)
(919) 715-3032
Matthew.Winslow@ncleg.gov
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to closely monitor this legislation and provide updates as they become available. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.